MBHTE-Pathways AKAP Bangsamoro Program Conducts Learning Site Study in BARMM
COTABATO CITY (September 12, 2025) — The Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao (Pathways) Program, in partnership with the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) under the Office of the Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal and the AKAP Focal Person, has commenced field visits for its Learning Site Study across selected schools and learning centers in the region.
Led by Alih S. Anso, the MBHTE Basic Education AKAP Focal Person joined the Pathways Monitoring and Evaluation Team to assess the effectiveness and reach of Pathways-supported initiatives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Accompanied by enumerators, they visited AKAP Learning Centers and other schools in the area.
The study, organized by the Pathways Monitoring and Evaluation Team, aims to evaluate the impact of the program’s support for the MBHTE, specifically focusing on the early years of education from Kindergarten to Grade 3. It also examines the implementation and influence of key initiatives such as the AKAP Bangsamoro Program and selected supported Madaris (Islamic schools).
As a focal point for the Technical Working Group (TWG) under the Directorate General for Basic Education (DGBE), Alih highlighted that participating in the site visits, including those in Tawi-Tawi Schools Division, offers an opportunity to directly observe and monitor how the support translates into tangible outcomes on the ground.
Funded by the Australian Government, the Pathways Program is a long-term educational initiative aimed at improving the quality of basic education for Bangsamoro children and strengthening institutional capacity within MBHTE. The program has been operational for nine years across BARMM.
The Learning Site Study officially began last week and is scheduled to conclude prior to the upcoming BARMM elections. After the Tawi-Tawi segment, the study will continue on Monday across the school divisions of Lanao del Sur I and Marawi City, followed by Maguindanao del Sur, and will conclude in Sulu Division.
So far, site visits have included municipalities such as Kapai and Bobong. The team is expected to return to Lanao del Sur II on Monday, travel back to Cotabato City by Friday, and then proceed to Sulu Division the following Monday. The final leg will take place in Maguindanao del Sur, wrapping up the series of visits. (Tu Alid Alfonso, BMN/BangsamoroToday)
